title: Chemically Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes as Substrates for Neuronal Growth.
abstract: We report the use of chemically modified carbon nanotubes as a substrate for cultured neurons. The morphological features of neurons that directly reflect their potential capability in synaptic transmission are characterized. The chemical properties of carbon nanotubes are systematically varied by attaching different functional groups that confer known characteristics to the substrate. By manipulating the charge carried by functionalized carbon nanotubes we are able to control the outgrowth and branching pattern of neuronal processes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Department of Chemisty, University of California, Riverside, California 92521.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yingchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Vedrana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Montana
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Haddon
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parpura